Notifying the OPM when someone dies
Family member is responsible for notifying the OPM
OverviewWhen someone dies
OPM Retirement Operations
Phone1-888-767-6738
TTY711
Emailretire@opm.gov
Fax1-724-794-6633
Mailing Address
U.S. Office of Personnel Management Retirement Operations Center P.O. Box 45 Boyers, PA 16017
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET (closed on federal holidays); busiest 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET
Survivor Benefits
Phone1-888-767-6738
TTY711
Emailretire@opm.gov
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Death Reporting
Phone1-888-767-6738
TTY711
Emailretire@opm.gov
Timeline
4 to 12 weeks for survivor annuity; 6 to 8 weeks for FEGLI
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Verified Jul 2026
When someone dies, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must be notified. The family member is responsible for notifying the OPM.
Notification deadline: As soon as possible; annuity payments received after death must be returned.
Steps to take
Steps for notifying the OPM and applying for survivor benefits:
1
Notify OPM of the death:
- •Complete the online Report of Death form at https://rsreporting.opm.gov/AnnuitantDeath/, call OPM Retirement Operations at 1-888-767-6738 (TTY: 711), or email retire@opm.gov
- •If the deceased was a current employee, also notify the employing agency's HR office
- •Have the deceased's CSA (Civil Service Annuity) number, date of birth, and Social Security number available
- •OPM usually responds within 3 to 5 business days
2
Return all annuity payments received after the date of death to the Treasury Department:
- •If payments were by check, write the date of death on the check and return it to the Treasury Department
- •If payments were by direct deposit, contact the financial institution to return the funds
- •OPM may pay accrued annuity for the days the annuitant lived in the month of death, minus any health or life insurance premiums
3
Submit required claim forms:
- •Standard Form 2800 (Application for Death Benefits under CSRS) or SF 3104 (Application for Death Benefits under FERS) — submit to the employing agency if the deceased was a current employee, or to OPM if the deceased was already retired
- •If the deceased died in service, also file SF 2800A (CSRS) or SF 3104B (FERS) — Documentation and Elections in Support of Application for Death Benefits
- •FE-6 (Claim for Death Benefits under FEGLI) — mail to OFEGLI, P.O. Box 6080, Scranton, PA 18505-6080 (overnight: 10 Ed Preate Drive, Moosic, PA 18507)
- •Use FE-6 DEP for Option C family member coverage claims
- •Include a certified copy of the death certificate with each form
4
Apply for survivor annuity if the deceased elected survivor benefits at retirement. OPM will send claim forms after the death is reported.
5
Request FEHB continuation if eligible:
- •Surviving spouse must have been covered under FEHB at the time of death
- •Coverage continues automatically when survivor annuity is approved
- •Premiums are deducted from the survivor annuity
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Deceased's CSA (Civil Service Annuity) number
- Standard Form 2800 (CSRS) or SF 3104 (FERS) — Death Benefit Application
- FE-6 form (FEGLI life insurance claim)
- Marriage certificate (for surviving spouse claims)
- Birth certificates (for dependent children claims)
- Bank account information for direct deposit of survivor annuity
Timeline
4 to 12 weeks for survivor annuity; 6 to 8 weeks for FEGLI
Survivor benefits
Survivor Annuity
A monthly annuity payment to the surviving spouse or former spouse of a deceased federal retiree who elected survivor benefits at retirement. Under FERS, the survivor annuity is 50% of the retiree's unreduced annuity (or 25% if elected). Under CSRS, the survivor annuity is 55% of the annuity base selected.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse or former spouse designated at retirement
Amount: 50% of unreduced annuity (FERS full survivor); 55% of base (CSRS)
How to apply: Contact OPM Retirement Operations at 1-888-767-6738 or submit claim forms by mail
Learn more →Lump Sum Death Benefit
If the deceased federal employee or retiree had no survivor annuity beneficiary, OPM pays remaining retirement contributions (plus interest) as a lump sum to eligible survivors in a specific order of precedence: designated beneficiary, surviving spouse, children, parents, executor of estate, or next of kin.
Eligibility: Designated beneficiary, surviving spouse, children, parents, or estate
Amount: Varies based on total retirement contributions plus accrued interest
How to apply: File Standard Form 2800 (for CSRS) or Standard Form 3104 (for FERS) with OPM
Learn more →Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
Life insurance benefit payable to beneficiaries of federal employees and retirees enrolled in FEGLI. Basic insurance is equal to the employee's annual salary rounded up to the next thousand, plus $2,000. Optional insurance may also be in effect.
Eligibility: Designated FEGLI beneficiary; if none, follows order of precedence
Amount: Basic: annual salary rounded up to next $1,000 plus $2,000; varies with optional coverage
How to apply: File Form FE-6 (Claim for Death Benefits) with the employing agency (current employees) or OPM (retirees). For Option C family coverage, use Form FE-6 DEP. Mail the form and certified death certificate to OFEGLI, P.O. Box 6080, Scranton, PA 18505-6080 (overnight: 10 Ed Preate Drive, Moosic, PA 18507). Call OFEGLI at 1-800-633-4542 or fax 570-558-8659 for assistance.
Learn more →Basic Employee Death Benefit (FERS Only)
A one-time lump sum payment to the surviving spouse (or designated beneficiary) of a deceased FERS employee who had at least 18 months of creditable civilian service. The benefit equals 50% of the employee's final salary plus a fixed amount adjusted annually.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse (or designated beneficiary if no surviving spouse) of a FERS employee who died in service with 18+ months of creditable civilian service
Amount: 50% of final salary (or average salary, if higher) plus $43,800.53 (for deaths after December 1, 2025; adjusted by CSRS COLA)
How to apply: File SF 3104 (Application for Death Benefits under FERS) with the deceased's employing agency
Learn more →Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Continuation
A surviving spouse receiving a survivor annuity can continue coverage under the deceased's FEHB plan. The surviving spouse must have been covered under the plan at the time of death.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse receiving a survivor annuity who was covered under FEHB at time of death
How to apply: OPM automatically processes FEHB continuation when survivor annuity is approved
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Report the death online at https://rsreporting.opm.gov/AnnuitantDeath/, call OPM Retirement Operations at 1-888-767-6738 (TTY: 711), or email retire@opm.gov. Have the deceased's CSA (Civil Service Annuity) number, date of birth, and Social Security number ready. OPM usually responds within 3 to 5 business days and will send claim forms to the surviving spouse or designated beneficiary.
A CSA (Civil Service Annuity) number is a unique identifier assigned to each federal retiree by OPM. It is printed on annuity statements, tax documents (1099-R), and correspondence from OPM. The CSA number is needed to report a death and file survivor benefit claims.
Under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a retiring employee can elect a survivor annuity for their spouse. The full survivor annuity is 50% of the retiree's unreduced annuity, and the reduced survivor annuity is 25%. The retiree's monthly payment is reduced to fund the survivor benefit. If the retiree elected no survivor benefit, the surviving spouse receives no annuity.
Yes. All payments received from OPM after the annuitant's date of death must be returned to the Treasury Department. If payments were by check, write the date of death on the check and return it. If payments were by direct deposit, contact the financial institution to return the funds. OPM may pay accrued annuity for the number of days the annuitant lived in the month of death, minus any health or life insurance premiums.
Download Form FE-6 (Claim for Death Benefits) from opm.gov and mail it with a certified copy of the death certificate to the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI), P.O. Box 6080, Scranton, PA 18505-6080. For overnight delivery, use OFEGLI, 10 Ed Preate Drive, Moosic, PA 18507. For current employees, the employing agency's HR office can also provide the form. For Option C family member coverage, use Form FE-6 DEP. OFEGLI (administered by MetLife) will mail claim forms to all known beneficiaries. Call OFEGLI at 1-800-633-4542 or fax 570-558-8659 for assistance.
Yes. A surviving spouse who receives a survivor annuity from OPM can continue coverage under the deceased's Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan, provided they were enrolled as a family member at the time of death. Premiums are deducted from the survivor annuity.
If the deceased federal retiree did not elect a survivor annuity at retirement, the surviving spouse does not receive a monthly annuity from OPM. However, OPM will pay a lump sum of any remaining retirement contributions plus interest to eligible survivors according to the order of precedence.
Survivor annuity claims typically take 4 to 12 weeks to process after OPM receives all required documentation. FEGLI life insurance claims are usually processed within 6 to 8 weeks. OPM may make interim payments while the full claim is being processed.
Yes. OPM provides an online Report of Death form at https://rsreporting.opm.gov/AnnuitantDeath/. Family members, caregivers, or friends can use the form to report the death of a retiree or survivor annuitant. You can also call 1-888-767-6738 (Monday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or email retire@opm.gov. OPM sends a confirmation email and usually responds within 3 to 5 business days.
After completing the notification process, eligible survivors can apply for 5 benefits through the OPM. Each benefit has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Keep copies of all documents submitted to the OPM. Original documents submitted for verification are typically returned after processing.
OPM Retirement Operations
Phone1-888-767-6738
TTY711
Emailretire@opm.gov
Fax1-724-794-6633
Mailing Address
U.S. Office of Personnel Management Retirement Operations Center P.O. Box 45 Boyers, PA 16017
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET (closed on federal holidays); busiest 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET
Survivor Benefits
Phone1-888-767-6738
TTY711
Emailretire@opm.gov
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Death Reporting
Phone1-888-767-6738
TTY711
Emailretire@opm.gov
Timeline
4 to 12 weeks for survivor annuity; 6 to 8 weeks for FEGLI
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Verified Jul 2026